Foreign policy should be guided by vision of Pakistan: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar while spelling out the guidelines for Pakistan’s foreign policy underlined that it should be guided by a vision of Pakistan as a progressive and economically ascendant state that prioritises the socio-economic well-being of its people.

In his key-note address, in the closed door event, at the ongoing Envoy’s Conference being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister shared his perspective about the pressing demands on the conduct of Pakistan’s foreign policy to align it with present-day imperatives.

“Pakistan’s foreign policy should continue to aim for peace and mutually beneficial relations across the globe. Pakistan will continue to stand for international law and purposes and principles of the UN Charter, mainstreaming economic diplomacy and support the Palestinian cause. Pakistan would always champion the Jammu and Kashmir cause and the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of its people”, he said according to the Foreign Office.

The three days Envoys’ Conference has drawn Pakistan’s envoys from important capitals who are participating in the conference and are deliberating on various facets of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The conference will deliberate and finalise recommendations over a range of bilateral, regional, and global dimensions of Pakistan’s foreign policy

Envoys Conference is a regular feature for in-depth discussion for various facets of Pakistan’s foreign policy in view of regional and global developments, remarked the spokeswoman at the Foreign Office. Prime Minister Kakar termed the Conference timely and relevant against the backdrop of profound transformations taking place in the region and around the globe.

“He reaffirmed his trust in Pakistan’s diplomacy and diplomats in their capability to fully deliver despite pressing odds and expressed the hope that the deliberations of this year’s Conference would lead to practical suggestions to navigate Pakistan’s foreign policy through present day challenges”, the Foreign Office quoted him as saying.

His remarks are particularly important in the backdrop of the ongoing cipher case in which a senior and distinguished foreign secretary was unnecessarily dragged into politics threatening his long career. This had given rise to comments from sources inside the Foreign Office saying envoys would now think twice before sending telegrams home about their meetings in foreign capitals as the secrecy of ciphers had no longer remained confidential.

The prime minister extended his best wishes to the Foreign Office and Pakistani diplomats in safeguarding Pakistan’s interests and advancing Pakistan’s global stature. Welcoming the prime minister, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani while speaking extempore outlined the framework of discussions and its importance as a deliberative forum on diplomatic challenges and opportunities for Pakistan in view of the global and regional developments. He underscored the need for strengthening the anchoring role of the Foreign Office in foreign policy formulation and implementation.

Sources speaking to The News said that the foreign minister spoke in an impressive manner and his remarks were greatly appreciated by the envoys.

“The foreign minister basically dilated upon the emerging challenges, transforming regional and global landscape, emerging alliances, US China contestation, Indian aggression, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, EU, ME etc and the kind of foreign policy response that Pakistan needs to come up with”.

Of importance was the fact that Jilani pointed out that a national consensus in support of foreign policy, strong economic base and stable political environment was critical in the effective Foreign policy. “He underlined the importance of regular debate on Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional developments”, the source maintained.